How is Bengal tackling fatal viral infection?

• In Bengal, 19 (official figure) children below five years of age died in State-run hospitals due to acute respiratory infection (ARI).
• According to unofficial estimates, more than 100 children have died between December 2022 and March 2023 (first week).
• As per government, approximately 11000 cases of ARI in children have been registered.
• The government has thus set up an eight-membered task force to ‘supervise the works related with the control of adenovirus and treatment of affected persons’.

Adenovirus infection:

• Adenoviruses are common viruses that cause a mild cold or flu-like illness.
• It spreads from an infected person to others through close personal contact.
• It can be transmitted through the air (coughing and sneezing) and through contacting adenovirus-infected objects or surfaces.
• It can affect any person but children with low and compromised immunity are at a much higher risk.
• The symptoms (apart from the common cold) include pneumonia, acute bronchitis, pink eye (conjunctivitis), and acute gastroenteritis.

Situation in West Bengal:

• A recombinant of two strains of adenovirus is causing a spike in viral infections in West Bengal.
• The two strains are human adenovirus type 3 (HAdV-3) and type 7 (HAdV-7).
• Around 88 human adenovirus (HAdV) serotypes have been found but epidemiologic reports suggest that nearly all fatal adenoviral diseases in children are associated with HAdV-7. Additionally, the HAdV-3 strain is found to be more prevalent.
• Most of the children who have been infected by the virus are less than the age of three years and were born during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• They suffer from an “immunity lag period” as they are mostly isolated at home and are more susceptible to viral infections.

Effects due to rise in cases

• Recently, an advisory was issued by the government on 28th February 2023 that no ARI cases should be referred to Kolkata without the knowledge of the medical superintendents of the hospitals.
• A large number of referrals to Kolkata has resulted in a shortage of beds.
• Referring children without stabilizing them or providing oxygen support might have caused the deaths of many children.
• The State government claims that there are around 5000 beds in 121 hospitals with almost 600 paediatricians.
• The government has announced the establishment of 5 additional paediatric hubs.